Ryan Donato Bio
Ryan Donato (born April 9, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he has built a steady NHL career across multiple franchises. Before arriving in Chicago, Donato suited up for the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken. He is also remembered for scoring the first goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Donato was born on April 9, 1996, in Scituate, Massachusetts. He grew up in a hockey household, the son of Ted Donato, a former Boston Bruins forward who played parts of 13 NHL seasons before becoming the head coach of the Harvard Crimson men’s ice hockey program. The younger Donato spent his formative years around rinks in the New England area, where the sport is woven into the local culture. That environment gave him an early appreciation for skating, puck skills, and the work habits required to reach higher levels of the game.
Donato attended Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he played prep hockey and developed into one of the top young forwards in the region. During his high school years he also gained junior experience with the South Shore Kings of the United States Premier Hockey League, exposing him to older competition before he moved on to the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League. With his college path set, he committed to Harvard University, following in the footsteps of his father, who was now coaching the program.
Path to Hockey
Donato’s path to professional hockey passed through one of the most tradition-rich programs in U.S. college hockey. After being drafted 56th overall by the Boston Bruins in 2014, he continued to develop with Dexter and the Omaha Lancers before enrolling at Harvard. The NCAA stage allowed him to refine his two-way game, his shot, and his understanding of systems, while playing under his father’s guidance.
As a junior with the Harvard Crimson in 2017–18, Donato led the team in scoring with 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points in just 29 games. His production convinced both player and program that he was ready for the next step. In March 2018, with Harvard’s season winding down, he chose to leave school early and sign an entry-level contract with the Bruins, beginning his professional career while still finishing coursework at Harvard.
Ryan Donato Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Ryan Donato made an immediate impact after turning pro. He debuted for the Boston Bruins on March 19, 2018, recording his first NHL goal and two assists in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A few weeks later he appeared in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, debuting in Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The brief postseason run gave him a first taste of NHL playoff hockey.
He opened 2018–19 with the Bruins but split the year between Boston and the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. After recording nine points in 10 games for Providence, he was recalled in late November 2018 before being reassigned in January 2019. On February 20, 2019, the Bruins traded Donato and a conditional fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Charlie Coyle. He debuted for the Wild the next night with two assists in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers.
Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks Era (2019–2021)
Donato settled into a depth role with the Wild and was rewarded with a new contract. On July 16, 2019, Minnesota re-signed him to a two-year, $3.8 million extension, signaling that the team viewed him as part of its future. The 2019–20 campaign gave him a full NHL season in a stable organization, and he continued to build trust with coaches and teammates.
On October 5, 2020, Minnesota traded Donato to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick originally belonging to Pittsburgh. The shortened 2020–21 season delayed his debut until January 14, 2021, when he appeared in a 4–3 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks stint was brief, but it kept him in the NHL and offered him a larger role on a rebuilding roster.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–2023)
As an expansion team preparing for its first NHL campaign, the Seattle Kraken signed Donato as a free agent on September 12, 2021, to a one-year, $750,000 contract. He wasted little time making history, scoring the opening goal of the Kraken’s first preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021. Weeks later, on opening night against the Vegas Golden Knights, he netted the first official goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history, a milestone moment in a 4–3 loss on October 12, 2021.
Donato’s first season in Seattle was his most productive to date. He set a career high with 16 goals and added 15 assists for 31 points in 74 games, even as the Kraken missed the playoffs in their inaugural year. After briefly hitting the open market in the summer of 2022, he re-signed with Seattle on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. In 2022–23, he contributed 13 goals and 27 points across 71 games and added two assists in 14 postseason contests as the Kraken qualified for the playoffs.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023–Present)
On July 1, 2023, Donato signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, joining a young, rebuilding roster. The move gave him a more prominent role, and he responded with consistent two-way play and power-play contributions. On March 28, 2025, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 5–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, a personal milestone that highlighted his growth as a scorer.
Donato’s strong play earned him a long-term commitment from the Blackhawks. On June 18, 2025, he signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension, signaling that Chicago views him as a core piece of its forward group. He continues to skate in a top-six role and remains a key voice in the team’s locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Donato is a versatile left-shot forward who can play center or wing and contribute in all situations. He is best known for his quick release, his hockey IQ, and his willingness to play a physical, detail-oriented game. Coaches have trusted him on both special teams and in defensive matchups, and his consistency has made him a reliable middle-six presence throughout his NHL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Donato’s NHL résumé features several memorable moments: his debut goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018, the first goal in Seattle Kraken history in 2021, and his first career hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025. He also represented the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, leading the team in scoring with five goals and six points.
Ryan Donato Career Wins
Although hockey does not record wins in the same way as individual sports, Donato’s career is marked by notable personal milestones and team accomplishments. He has scored the first goal in Seattle Kraken history, produced a hat-trick against Vegas, and helped the Kraken reach the playoffs in 2023. At the international level, he earned a bronze medal with the United States at the 2016 World Junior Championships and tied for the Olympic goal-scoring lead in 2018.
Ryan Donato Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Ryan Donato is the son of Ted Donato, a former NHL forward who played for the Boston Bruins and several other clubs over 13 professional seasons. Ted Donato later became the head coach of the Harvard Crimson men’s ice hockey program, the same program his son starred for before turning professional. That family connection gave Ryan a direct line into high-level coaching, training, and competition from an early age.
Personal Life
Ryan Donato married his wife, Bradley Donato, on July 30, 2023. The couple has been part of his support system as he has moved across several NHL cities, from Boston to Minnesota, San Jose, Seattle, and Chicago. Donato is known to be private about his personal life and focuses much of his public attention on his hockey career and team responsibilities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year in Ryan Donato’s NHL career. With the Chicago Blackhawks, he has continued to produce at a steady pace, contributing goals, assists, and responsible two-way play on a young roster. His first career hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 28, 2025, was one of the highlights of the year and underscored his offensive growth in a top-six role.
Beyond his on-ice production, Donato has emerged as a leader in the Blackhawks locker room, mentoring younger forwards and providing a steady presence on special teams. His strong season helped earn him a four-year, $16 million contract extension signed on June 18, 2025, locking him in as a core piece of the franchise’s rebuild.
Looking ahead, Donato is expected to remain a central figure in Chicago’s lineup, with a continued focus on offense, leadership, and helping the Blackhawks return to playoff contention.
